60 MEMOIR OF BRUCE. 



with long hair, white as snow. A black velvel 

 cloak with a silver fringe hung over his shoulders 

 down his hack ; and a bag at his right stirrup held 

 a silver wand, about five and a half feet long 

 Behind him marched all the soldiers who had slain 

 an enemy and taken the spoils ; with these horrid 

 trophies their lances and firelocks Were ornamented, 

 as also with small shreds of scarlet cloth, one 

 piece for every man he had killed. 



The most remarkable among these savage warriors 

 was the door-keeper of the Ras, who had been sc 

 successful in his inhuman trade, that his whole 

 lance and javelin, horse and person, were covered 

 with patches of red cloth. The head-dress of the 

 governors of provinces was curious, consisting of z 

 broad fillet round the head, tied behind, and in the 

 middle of the forehead projected a horn, or conica 

 piece of silver, about four inches long, resembling 

 in shape a common candle extinguisher. These 

 badges of honour were only worn at reviews 01 

 parades after victory. The king himself had a fillei 

 of white muslin, fastened in the same manner, anc 

 hanging about two feet down his back. Arounc 

 him were his officers of state, the young nobility whc 

 had no command, and after these the household 

 troops; lastly came the executioner of the camj 

 with his attendants, one of whom, as a warning t( 

 evil doers, carried upon a pole the stuffed skin of i 

 human being, which he hung up on a branch of the 

 tree appropriated to public executions. 



Bruce had continued to visit his patients regular^ 



